Brian Cooke – we meet the man behind the lens of some of music’s most iconic images…

He’s snapped them all, from The Rolling Stones to Eric Clapton. Matt Clark meets York’s top music photographer.

Thirty something years ago four men went to a London pizza parlour to chew over ideas for their client’s new emblem. By the time lunch was over they were in agreement, the scribbling on a paper napkin would be offered to Richard Branson. He loved it’s ‘in your face’ simplicity, attitude and energy. The famous Virgin logo was born.

I moved to Scotland in the year 2000. At the time my favourite malt whisky was 21 year old Springbank and all things Springbank were alright with me. One of the bottles I bought included an offer to invest in a cask of Springbank. I decided to see if my best friend Andy Miller would be interested in sharing the purchase. Andy and I are friends from school and best man at each other’s wedding etc. Taking account of cost and quantity, we signed up for a 50 Litre (11 gallon) first fill Oloroso sherry cask. The cask was actually filled in May 2001.

Our plan was to see it mature for at least 15 years if not 16, which would coincide with our 60th birthday year and we could then have it bottled for our respective retirements.

In early January 2009, I received a call from the distillery saying that due to the small cask size, an increased rate of evaporation had occurred. The alcohol level (ABV = alcohol by

Released in early May 2004 in a printed plain white record company sleeve this advanced review copy of the Late Night John compilation was distributed for promotional purposes to music journalists. Produced in very limited numbers, this particular release was accompanied by a one page press release;

“JOHN MARTYN
LATE NIGHT JOHN
10TH MAY 2004

CAT. NO. 9813651 BARCODE 0602498136515

Ballad Of An Elder Woman / Fly On Home / Parcels (John & Beverley Martyn) / Stormbringer (John & Beverley Martyn) / Bless The Weather / Head And Heart / Solid Air / Don’t Want To Know / So Much In Love With You / You Can Discover / Call Me Crazy / Small Hours / One World / Hurt In Your Heart / Angeline.

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of the incredibly talented Gavin Clark.

On Monday 16th February in the morning, Gavin Clark shockingly passed away at the age of 46. A peerless songwriter and poet, Gavin is infamous for his work with Sunhouse and Clayhill, and had collaborated heavily with UNKLE. He is also much loved for his musical collaboration with visual director Shane Meadows on films such as Somers Town and This Is England, plus the recent live re-scoring of Dead Man’s Shoes.

Gavin and Ted Barnes recorded Over The Hill for the Johnny Boy Would Love This tribute album.

Gavin’s family announced on facebook, “We are heartbroken and so sad to have lost him. As a family we scattered his ashes at this, his favourite beach in Devon last weekend.